Activision Blizzard Joins TIGA

TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, today announced Activision Blizzard as its latest member.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a worldwide pure-play online and console game publisher with leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry.

Activision Blizzard’s Activision Publishing, Inc. division operates two games development studios in the United Kingdom; Liverpool based Bizarre Creationsâ„¢, famous for the Project Gotham Racing® franchise and highly anticipated new title Blurâ„¢, as well as Leamington Spa based FreeStyleGamesâ„¢, famous for the DJ Hero and Guitar Hero® franchises.

George Rose, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer of Activision Blizzard explains the company’s reasons for joining TIGA: “At Activision Blizzard we are extremely supportive of TIGA’s campaign to secure Games Tax Relief for the UK development community. The UK has one of the most talented and creative workforces anywhere in the industry. The introduction of Games Tax Relief in the UK will be a game changer. It will make the UK a significantly more attractive place to invest in games development. Games Tax Relief will lead to increased investment, more job creation and power economic growth. However, if Games Tax Relief is not introduced then the UK will remain at a real disadvantage in comparison to other territories as a location for inward investment. Without Games Tax Relief the UK games industry will not fulfill its potential.””

Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO stated: “The support of Activision Blizzard is a huge boost for TIGA and for our campaign to secure Games Tax Relief. Brian Ward, Activision Publishing’s Senior Vice President, Worldwide Studios, and I have already met with MPs in the UK to press home the case for Games Tax Relief. Our message is simple: back Games Tax Relief and benefit from more investment and more jobs in a high technology, export oriented industry, or risk investment drifting away to other, more forward thinking countries.””

In addition to the U.S. and United Kingdom, Activision Blizzard maintains operations in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Romania, Australia, Chile, India, Japan, China, the region of Taiwan and South Korea. More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activisionblizzard.com.